Prospects for Neutron Star Parameter Estimation using Gravitational Waves from f-modes Associated with Magnetar Flares

Abstract

Magnetar vibrational modes are theorized to be associated with energetic X-ray flares. Regular searches for gravitational waves from these modes have been performed by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, with no detections so far. Presently, search results are given in limits on the root-sum-square of the integrated gravitational-wave strain. However, the increased sensitivity of current detectors and the promise of future detectors invite the consideration of more astrophysically motivated methods. We present a framework for augmenting gravitational wave searches to measure or place direct limits on magnetar astrophysical properties in various search scenarios using a set of phenomenological and analytic models.